Hayden Heaven

The mango, Mangifera indica, of the family Anacardiaceae, is native to southern Asia, especially Burma and eastern India. It spread early on to Malaysia, eastern Asia and eastern Africa. Mangoes were introduced to California (Santa Barbara) in 1880. The mango exists in two races, from India and from the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The Indian race is intolerant of humidity, has flushes of bright red new growth that are subject to mildew, and bears fruits of high color and regular form. The Philippine race tolerates excess moisture, has pale green or red new growth and resists mildew.

Hayden was the first superior mango selected and named in Florida. The flesh has a full sweet flavor, and it is of excellent eating quality. The fruit is eye catching having a deep yellow base with a crimson blush when ripe. The tree is a vigorous large grower with an open rounded canopy. The fruits are susceptible to spotting caused by fungus, and they tend to ripen from the inside out becoming slightly soft around the seed. The Hayden remains an excellent variety that requires the space for a medium to large tree. The fruit ripens from June to July. If picked at the right time from the trees, they ripen gracefully in a few days. Unpicked, the mangoes drop and ripen on the ground but may get bruises from the fall.

I visited my friend's mango trees this morning. As expected, this year produces a great crop. These are Hayden mangoes. Oh so good! I got myself a couple of baskets full and they will last me about 1 day.